THE BIG 10 THREAD

[BigAppleBadger]

My B1G Power Rankings after Week 9

1. Ohio State (7-1, 5-0) - Realistically, they've been the best team in the B1G all season. They laid an egg in one game and dominated in every other one, including PSU. Our decisions to kick off repeatedly like morons kept them in a game that they were otherwise thoroughly dominated in.

2. Penn State (7-1, 4-1)- No doubt the 2nd most talented team in the conference, and they'd be a favorite against the other 12 teams in any stadium. If they can get by MSU this weekend, 11-1 is a lock.

3. Wisconsin (8-0, 5-0) - They have still not faced a team worth anything, but what's worse is they can't even win decisively. The only win they have that could be remotely considered decent is Northwestern, but this is a team that was throttled by Duke, so beating them at home by 9 is hardly an accomplishment.

4. Michigan State (6-2, 4-1)- That was an ugly loss to NW, no doubt, but they've still had a good year with 3 wins against teams that are 5-3 or better. Here comes Penn State into East Lansing with a lot of anger to let out after the Ohio State game.

5. Michigan (6-2, 3-2) - Not a horrible win vs. Rutgers, but the big bright spot has to be Brandon Peters replacing O'Korn, possibly for good. If he is actually a decent QB, it could mean a turnaround for michigan, but obviously it'll take more than Rutgers to determine that. Minnesota's underrated defense will be a much better test.

6. Northwestern (5-3, 3-2)- Here comes Northwestern with 3 straight wins, including back to back over Iowa and MSU. After starting 2-3, they're a lock for the postseason, with 8-9 wins very possible.

7. Iowa (5-3, 2-3) - While the defense is solid, the offense still continues to struggle. They've only hit 20 points once in conference play, which is a large reason why they're 2-3 in B1G play. Now here comes Ohio State. Don't look for them to hit 20 again yet this week.

8. Nebraska (4-4, 3-2) - Now we're getting into the realm of teams that can be fairly interchangeable. Nebraska survived a nose-diving Purdue team, so they get to land at #8.

9. Maryland (4-4, 2-3) - A promising year has nearly completely derailed, despite beating a decent Indiana team. Injuries have derailed them, and a bowl game is not likely as they have yet to still face michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.

10. Minnesota (4-4, 1-4) - Minnesota is still a solid team defensively and they have a bright future with PJ Fleck, but they're struggles offensively will continue to keep them in the bottom half of the conference.

11. Indiana (3-5, 0-5) - What is there left to say about Indiana? After narrowly losing to both michigan and Michigan State, they drop a tough game to a battered up Maryland team that they should've beaten. While they've fallen hard this month, a bowl game is still likely with Illinois, Rutgers, and Purdue remaining along with Wisconsin.

12 Rutgers (3-5, 2-3)- After back to back wins, Rutgers comes crashing back down against a michigan team that I didn't think would cover the spread. They're still a very long ways away.

13. Purdue (3-5, 1-4) - Another team like Maryland that started the season playing extremely good football, but have collapsed. While they played Nebraska and Wisconsin close, it's not likely they make a bowl.

14. Illinois (2-6, 0-5) - Lovie Smith has failed almost inexplicably with Illinois. They boast what is arguably the worst P5 offense, if not bottom 3. The defense hasn't been as horrible, but they are still horrible. This is a team going nowhere anytime soon. The cellar of the B1G will be their home until some drastic changes are made.

Wisconsin continues to play down to the level of their opponents, and Hornibrook hasn't looked great for the past few weeks. That said, the Purdue game was not as closed as the final score. It was turnovers and uncharacteristic penalties that hurt them. Also, Illinois' TD was bullshit and the officials botched a call that would have made them punt or attempt a long FG on that drive.

 

[Across The Field]

Wisconsin continues to play down to the level of their opponents, and Hornibrook hasn't looked great for the past few weeks. That said, the Purdue game was not as closed as the final score. It was turnovers and uncharacteristic penalties that hurt them. Also, Illinois' TD was bullshit and the officials botched a call that would have made them punt or attempt a long FG on that drive.

And those are two teams you should be demolishing if you are a legit top 5 team in the nation. Especially Illinois. You beat them by a combined 22 points. I feel like OSU would be up by at least 22 on both teams at the half.

 

[navamind]

Wisconsin continues to play down to the level of their opponents, and Hornibrook hasn't looked great for the past few weeks. That said, the Purdue game was not as closed as the final score. It was turnovers and uncharacteristic penalties that hurt them. Also, Illinois' TD was bullshit and the officials botched a call that would have made them punt or attempt a long FG on that drive.

agreed on the Purdue game. Wisconsin had like 250 more yards, they were in control.

 

[kburjr]

And those are two teams you should be demolishing if you are a legit top 5 team in the nation. Especially Illinois. You beat them by a combined 22 points. I feel like OSU would be up by at least 22 on both teams at the half.

The only thing that matters to Wisconsin is to win, right now. Doesn't matter by how much. Get to the CCG and then play the game. If OSU makes it, then that's who we play. Win by 1. But you know about winning by 1.

If we are 13-0 we make the playoffs. With our schedule, winning every game by 35 is no different than winning by 14. We win out, we're in. If we lose, we're not. Just that simple.

 

[Across The Field]

The only thing that matters to Wisconsin is to win, right now. Doesn't matter by how much. Get to the CCG and then play the game. If OSU makes it, then that's who we play. Win by 1. But you know about winning by 1.

If we are 13-0 we make the playoffs. With our schedule, winning every game by 35 is no different than winning by 14. We win out, we're in. If we lose, we're not. Just that simple.

I wouldn't say it's that easy. It can be the difference of being a 4 seed and a 2 seed, which obviously can mean a lot. I'm mostly talking about the national perception right now. We know you're not playing a tough schedule, but struggling to win soundly is just a bad look.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

We win out, we're in. If we lose, we're not.

Yep, no need to argue over margin of victory. Win and in.

 

[osubuckeye89]

And those are two teams you should be demolishing if you are a legit top 5 team in the nation. Especially Illinois. You beat them by a combined 22 points. I feel like OSU would be up by at least 22 on both teams at the half.

Illinois is by far the worst team in the B1G this year. Even Rutgers was able to beat them by 2 scores. It's gonna be a ugly show when they come to Columbus in a few weeks.

 

[Wamu]

Illinois is by far the worst team in the B1G this year. Even Rutgers was able to beat them by 2 scores. It's gonna be a ugly show when they come to Columbus in a few weeks.

Wouldn't be surprised if alotta 2nd stringers get on the field for the 2nd half when Illinois visits The Shoe.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Wouldn't be surprised if alotta 2nd stringers get on the field for the 2nd half when Illinois visits The Shoe.

something like 35(or more)-0 is entirely possible as a halftime score if we play up to our ability.

 

[packerzrule]

as nice as the recent rankings might seem, I cannot justify the Badgers being ranked 4th

 

[kburjr]

as nice as the recent rankings might seem, I cannot justify the Badgers being ranked 4th

Yeah, it's cool to be recignized but it is still all about winning the next game. Rankings are just something to talk about.

1st, you win your division. The you win the CCG. After that, it's out of your hands.

 

[Wamu]

something like 35(or more)-0 is entirely possible as a halftime score if we play up to our ability.

Still a couple big games left & they haven't locked up the division yet. That should be plenty of motivation to play up to their true abilities for the remainder of the season.

 

[Wamu]

Yeah, it's cool to be recignized but it is still all about winning the next game. Rankings are just something to talk about.

1st, you win your division. The you win the CCG. After that, it's out of your hands.

Like I've said before I'll pay attention to the rankings when the CCG's are over.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Like I've said before I'll pay attention to the rankings when the CCG's are over.

Yeah, it can be fun to mull over and debate, but in the end it is pretty meaningless until the last week and CCG week.

 

[Great Dayne]

Goofs QB Decommit

Let's all give a moment of silence to Armstrong for realizing that having an oar shoved up your ass for 5 years isn't a good thing.





Top Gophers QB recruit, Brennan Armstrong, decides to reopen recruiting process

 

[Wamu]

Yeah, it can be fun to mull over and debate, but in the end it is pretty meaningless until the last week and CCG week.

You know what else is fun? Making fun of meeeechegan.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

You know what else is fun? Making fun of meeeechegan.

AND Penn St! Fuck em both!

 

[7Samurai13]

You know what else is fun? Making fun of meeeechegan.

 

[Wamu]

AND Penn St! Fuck em both!

 

[osubuckeye89]

You know what else is fun? Making fun of meeeechegan.

I was reading their boards the other day. The delusion they have is hilarious. Most still refuse to talk bad about Harbaugh.....it's still Hoke's fault somehow they can't get over the hump.